PRESS RELEASES

NEWS

FIAN International intervention helps to avoid violence against MST State meeting in Rio Grande do Sul – Brasil

ACTUALITÉS

On January 16th, FIAN International Secretariat was informed by Brazilian partners that the State Meeting of the Brazilian Landless Movement (MST), in the Rio Grande do Sul, with close to 1500 participants, had been surrounded by almost 1000 heavily armed policemen. (see photos) The troops, under orders of the local judge, intended to search the premises and the participants for a vaguely described set of items (a ring, a camera, an auto radio and some cash) which would have allegedly been robbed by people who supposedly would be taking part in the meeting.

The negotiations between the MST and the police were very tense and around noon of January 17th, the police commander closed the negotiations and informed that they would send the troops in.  Around this time, FIAN International Secretariat contacted the State Security Secretary cabinet by phone, and informed his press assistant that FIAN was following the situation and that the UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food, had already been informed and was also extremely worried about the possible consequences of the policy action in the State. The violent behaviour of the State Police in previous actions was highlighted and the Sate authorities were informed that they would be held accountable for the possible consequences of their actions. In parallel a letter was sent to the Secretary, reaffirming the same points, with copy to the UN Rapporteur and his team (see letter).

The MST leaderships in the meeting were informed about the contact and of the letter and they immediately informed the participants over the loudspeakers. The announcement was followed by a long ovation. Both the announcement and the reaction were also heard by the troops who were close to the loudspeaker system.

A few minutes later the commander reopened the negotiation and proposed that a smaller contingent of unarmed policemen would inspect the premises. This proposal was accepted by the MST negotiators and the conflict was avoided.

In our view, the impact of this intervention is a reflection of the strength of human rights instruments when timely and effectively put into use, as well as of the collaboration between Human Rights organizations and UN non conventional procedures, such as the Special Rapporteurs.

We can´t stop here though. FIAN will continue to follow the situation to guarantee that an end is put to the attempts of criminalization of the social movements in Brazil.